This guide provides a sampling of PDAs (personal digital assistants), PMPs (portable media players), PNDs (portable navigation devices), and other handheld devices based on Linux that have been covered in LinuxDevices.In some cases there is a fine line between these handhelds and slightly larger handheld (typically two-handed) devices that we have listed under the separate Linux MIDs, UMPCs, and Tablets showcase. Devices with built-in cellular phone functions, meanwhile, are listed in our Linux Mobile Phonesshowcase.

Datawind PocketSurfer3 and PocketSurfer3 Lite — Jul. 10, 2009 — Datawind's updated versions of its PocketSurfer 2 clamshell PDA have moved to embedded Linux, and for communications, depends solely on GPRS service, which is offered for free by the company in the U.K. The PocketSurfer3 (pictured) and PocketSurfer3 Lite measure 6.0 x 4.0 x 0.6 inches, and offer 5-inch, 640 x 240 active matrix TFT screens, with the Lite version differing due to its lack of GPS and its use of four-way controls instead of a mousepad.

Kopin Golden-i — May 20, 2009 — Kopin collaborated with Motorola to build a computer into a Bluetooth headset, providing a "virtual 15-inch display" via a swing-down eyepiece. The "Golden-i" incorporates speech recognition, weighs three ounces, and runs Linux software for more than eight hours per charge.BlueRadios WiPC — May 8, 2009 — BlueRadios' "near-eye" portable media player is equipped with an SVGA micro-display that is touted as offering the viewing experience of a 15-inch display. The WiFi-enabled WiPC runs Linux or Android on an ARM Cortex-A8 OMAP3530 SoC, weighs three ounces, and consumes
one Watt.

Garmin Nuvi 860, 880, and 5000 — Jul. 02, 2008 — The Nuvi 860 and 880 offer a 4.3-inch, 480×272 display, and appear to be based on a Marvell PXA-3xx processor, Gnome Mobile Linux, and GeoClue location technology. Designed for truckers, the 5000 runs off automotive power only, and lacks the Nuvi 880's voice recognition, Bluetooth support, and some other advanced features. However, it offers a larger 5.2-inch display, with a higher 800×480 resolution.

Slacker Portable — May 27, 2008 — A personal music player (PMP) claimed to connect itself automatically to "hundreds of thousands" of WiFi hotspots, the Slacker Portable offers a mobile version of Slacker's Web-based Slacker Personal Radio browser, which the company claims enables users to personalize over 100 professionally programmed stations.

SDG Systems TDS Nomad — May 01, 2008 — SDG is a value-added reseller of mobile computers and PDAs that has ported Linux to the "Nomad," a ruggedized, "military-grade" PDA made by Tripod Data Systems (TDS). The SDG version of the Nomad comes pre-installed with Angstrom Linux and Qtopia PDA Edition, and bundled with a toolsuite and build environment based on OpenEmbedded.

SanDisk Sansa e200 with "Podzilla" — Apr. 07, 2008 — SanDisk's relatively inexpensive e200 line of flash-based mp3 players can be altered to run Podzilla, an open source media player stack originally developed by the iPod Linux project.

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–>iWave iW-Rainbow-G4 — Mar. 27, 2008 — This rugged industrial PDA from iWave Systems of Bangalore is targeted at asset, inventory, and retail management. Available with RFID, WiFi, and GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity, the iW-Rainbow-G4 can withstand six-foot drops, and includes a 3.5-inch touchscreen and a sealed keyboard.

Motorola Mobile TV DH01 — Jan. 07, 2008 — Motorola's Mobile TV DH01 personal media player (PMP) is designed for the emerging wireless TV broadcast standard, DVB-H (digital video broadcast, handhelds), enabling the viewing of live, on-demand, and recorded DVB-H programs. The device, which includes a 4.3-inch WQVGA display, was later upgraded to a DH02 model that adds a larger screen and a cellular phone.

Dreamax Indicube i-800 PMP — Jan. 07, 2008 — This 2.3 x 4.8 x 0.9-inch portable media player (PMP) from Dreamax is equipped with a separate 0.44-inch, head-mounted OLED microdisplay visor with 800 x 600 resolution. The Indicube i-800 PMP is equipped with 12GB of storage plus an 8GB flash card, and the microdisplay is said to offer an experience equivalent to sitting seven feet from a 54-inch screen.

Levelstar Icon — Jul. 25, 2007 — Designed for visually impaired users, Levelstar's Icon PDA offers a full complement of "life managing software," much of it written for blind users. The device is equipped with a 30GB hard drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, and either a telephone-style keypad or a braille reader interface.

LearningSoft Indigo Learning System — — LearningSoft's handheld "assessment system" is aimed at helping K8 classroom school teachers create, administer, and score tests. The Indigo Learning System hardware is based on the Zipit IM chat device, but runs a custom software stack.

iWave Systems iW-Rugged-PDA — May 09, 2007 — This ruggedized, military-grade PDA from India-based iWave Systems supports SDIO WiFi and GPS receiver modules. The "iW-Rugged-PDA" is based on a 520MHz Marvell PXA270, and can operate in "extreme outdoor and industrial environments."

SanDisk Sansa Connect — Apr. 09, 2007 — SanDisk's portable multimedia player (PMP) can download music from online music services directly via WiFi, without the use of a PC. The Sansa Connect runs embedded Linux and Mono, and offers a 2.2-inch color LCD screen and a built-in 4GB hard drive.

Archos 704 — Mar. 09, 2007 — This upgraded PMP (portable media player) from Archos is larger than the earlier Archos 604 and most other PMPs, but compensates with a bright, detailed, 7-inch screen. The Archos 704 features an 80GB hard drive, a 802.11b/g WiFi radio, and an Opera browser.

Tripod Data Systems Recon-X — Sep. 1, 2006 — This Linux-ized version of a ruggedized, "military-grade" PDA was ported to Linux by SDG. It is based on a 2.6.15 kernel, and comes with technical and warranty support. Tools, training, and customization services are also available. Details

iRex Iliad eBook Reader — Aug. 1, 2006 — An electronic paper display (EPD) helps save power in this portable, Linux-based reading device, available now for personal and business-to-business applications. The iLiad's paper display "reads just like paper, and is perceived as such by the human eye," according to the company.

Sharp SL-C3200 — Aug. 1, 2006 — Sharp's Linux-based Zaurus PDA was ahead of its time, and can still compete with modern Linux-based handhelds such as the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet, writes MobileTechReview Editor-in-Chief Lisa Gade in a mostly-positive review of the SL-C3200 model. Details

Tripod Data Systems Recon — Nov. 30, 2005 — A rugged PDA targeting military, transportation, industrial, and public service applications, the Recon was ported to Linux by SDG Systems, which resells the device pre-installed with Linux.

Sharp Zaurus SL-C3100 — Sep. 16, 2005 — Sharp Japan has given US-based Linux PDA fans one more reason to wish the dollar could hold its own against the Yen. The newly shipping (in Japan only) SL-C3100 is the second harddrive-equipped Zaurus model, and it also features English-language software aimed at Japanese students.

Simputer — Apr. 14, 2005 — The "Simputer" was first described in a concept paper presented at the first Bangalore IT.com conference in 1998. Later, a "Simputer Trust" was formed dedicated to realizing the concept as a "platform for social change," a computer with price and technology appropriate for rural Indian villages. After three years of development by two competing companies, Pico Peta has released the Amida, the first Simputer. More details here

Sharp Zaurus SL-6000 — Nov. 2, 2004 — Sharp officially stopped distributing the SL-6000 in the U.S. However, the device is still available here, from a company that makes verticle market software for the rail industry. The SL-6000 has a 640×480 high-brightness VGA display, along with "laptop-like" performance and a ruggedized case.

Sharp SL-C3000 — Oct. 26, 2004 — The SL-C3000, includes a tiny 4GB hard disk drive made by Hitachi. The Linux-based PDA is officially available only in Japan, but various international distributors will also offer the device to buys in the US and elsewhere. details

Compaq iPAQ — Jun. 23, 2004 — Though not natively equipped with Embedded Linux, there are now multiple projects to develop Linux implementations for the iPAQ, including one from the Compaq-sponsored handhelds.org site. The iPAQ has a 240 x 320 pixel backlit color LCD screen and is powered by a 206MHz Intel StrongArm processor with 32MB of RAM and 16MB of flash memory. External interfacing and expansion are via IrDA, serial (sync/async), USB, and PCMCIA. Multiple sources of Embedded Linux support for the iPAQ are available, and discussed in the references section of this guide (below). In particular, the Familiar Project stands out.

NexGen City NexPaq — May. 6, 2004 — NexGen City has embedded Linux into the first VoIP (voice over internet protocol) push-to-talk (PTT) handset for emergency workers and "first responders." The "NexPaq" is currently undergoing testing in the first NexLink mesh network, which is nearing completion in Garland, Texas. The Garland network covers 57 square miles, and is the first deployment of mobile mesh networking technology for use by a public safety organization, according to NexGen. The NexPaq also includes basic PDA features.

Sharp Zaurus SL-C7xx, C8xx Series — Nov. 12, 2003 — Sharp calls the SL-C7xx PDAs "the world's first PDAs with a full-color VGA-resolution (640×480 pixel) LCD display." The SL-C7xx PDAs also provide a unique built-in QWERTY keyboard similar to that of a normal notebook keyboard (although smaller). As with previous Zaurus models, the software platform is based on embedded Linux along with a Java virtual machine for enhanced software portability and world-wide open source developer support. SL-C700 / SL-C750, SLC760, C860

CDL Paron 'secure PDA' — Nov. 6, 2003 — This unique device is claimed to be the world's first handheld wireless device with built-in biometric user authentication. It combines the functions of a PDA, Bluetooth wireless access, cellular telephone, and biometric fingerprint recognition, along with a security-oriented hardware/software architecture. The device has a 320×240 pixel color LCD and is based on a 206MHz StrongARM SA-1110 processor with 32MB or 64MB RAM and 32MB Flash, and uses a Linux 2.4.x kernel and provides a PDA app suite and web browser.

Royal LineaLX — Sep. 16, 2003 — This PDA features software compatibility with Sharp's Zaurus PDAs. The first is scheduled to ship in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2003 for less than $300. LineaLX will be based on a Motorola i.MX1 MDragonBall processor running at 200MHz. It will come with 64MB SDRAM plus 32MB Flash memory and an SDIO expansion card slot, and the device will feature a 3.5-inch LCD screen with 240 x 320 pixel resolution and 65K colors.

WebLink Wireless Sun Telecom S-935 — Mar. 19, 2003 — this Linux-based two-way pager is a "clamshell"-like device that provides full PDA capabilities, syncing, secure wireless communications between work groups, and encrypted access to company email/data. A J2ME VM is included for the PIM suite, syncing, and custom application support.

Infomart Kaii — Oct. 2, 2002 — This new Linux-based PDA was created to fill a gap between high-end, high-cost Pocket PC PDAs and low-end, low-cost Palm PDAs. The device attempts to offer a high level of software compatibility with the Zaurus, by employing a similar software platform. Unlike the Zaurus, however, the Kaii uses a 160MHz Hitachi SH3 processor and provides an on-screen, rather than physical, keyboard. Includes 32-128MB RAM along with 32MB of ROM (or Flash), depending on version.

Q-Reader Ebook — Jul. 24, 2002 — This Linux-powered electronic reading device targets the education market in China. As well as reading capabilities, the multi-function device includes Web connectivity, email, and other PDA features, including support for both English and Chinese languages.

Esfia PDA reference design — Jul. 21, 2002 — Based on a Samsung ARM7 system-on-chip processor and a uClinux embedded OS, this reference design supports a color or monochrome backlit 320×240 pixel LCD and is available for license to companies wanting to distribute low-cost Linux-based PDAs in either the China or worldwide markets. Resources include up to 32MB SDRAM, 8MB NAND Flash, IrDA, RS232, USB, stereo-audio, and CompactFlash and SD card slots.

Mizi Linux PDA developer kit — Jul. 19, 2002 — The PDA bundled with this kit, called the EnDA C3224, is based on a 206 MHz StrongARM SA-1110 processor and has a 240 x 320 pixel TFT LCD. Other resources include 32M RAM and 32MB Flash memory, a CompactFlash slot, USB and IrDA interfaces, internal digital FM stereo radio, and a built-in speaker.

Softfield VR3 — Apr. 25, 2002 — The Softfield Technologies VR3 (originally introduced by Agenda Computing) is a full-function handheld computer with a 160 x 240 pixel (2 x 3 in. viewable area) backlit LCD. It is based on a 66MHz 32-bit NEC VR4181 MIPS processor, and has 8MB or 16MB of system RAM and 16MB of built-in Flash storage. For I/O, the device provides an RS232 serial port along with an IrDA interface. The VR3's operating system is Linux-VR.

Empower PowerPlay — Mar. 11, 2002 — The PowerPlay III and PowerPlay V PDAs are manufactured in Taiwan and sold online by Empower Technologies, a vendor of Embedded Linux for intelligent appliances. The devices are claimed to be Palm IIIxe and Vx compatible, respectively, from a hardware perspective. But unlike Palm's PDAs, the PowerPlay PDAs run Empower Technologies' Linux DA O/S implementation of Embedded Linux for the Dragonball processor.

Royal [email protected] — Jan. 10, 2002 — Royal Consumer Information Products unveiled a prototype of a new Linux-powered PDA at CES in Las Vegas, NV in January, 2002. The device was based on a 206 MHz Intel StrongARM processor with 32MB system RAM and 16MB built-in flash storage. It had a full-color 320 x 240 pixel TFT LCD with touch panel, and was equipped with a CompactFlash expansion slot, USB, IrDA, and an RS232 serial port. The device's software stack was based on Century Software's PIXIL PDA software suite, which includes the Microwindows GUI. However, this device never reached production.

Invair Filewalker — Jan. 10, 2002 — Invair Technologies (Stuttgart, Germany) unveiled a new Linux-based PDA at CeBIT 2002 in Hannover, Germany. The device was designed to be operated with one hand, weighs a mere 0.2 lbs, and is small (though somewhat thick), at 3.4 x 2.2 x .74 in. It's based on an Intel StrongARM processor clocked at 133MHz and includes 32MB SDRAM and 16MB Flash ROM, has a 160 x 240 pixel grayscale LCD display, and provides IrDA and USB interfaces plus an expansion slot for SD and MMC cards.

MasterIA PDA — Nov. 7, 2001 — Like many recently introduced PDAs, this device is based on Intel's 206MHz StrongARM SA-1110 system-on-chip processor, and has a full-color 320×240 pixel TFT LCD screen plus expansion slots for CompactFlash Type II and SmartData (SD) cards. Internal resources include 32MB RAM for program operation, and either 16MB or 32MB of Flash memory for program and data storage.

CIIT multimedia PDA — Aug. 31, 2001 — Based on an Intel 206 MHz StrongARM SA-1110 system-on-chip processor with 32MB of DRAM and 32MB of Flash storage memory. I/O connections include USB, serial, and Ethernet ports, and there is a CompactFlash slot for additional expansion (memory or I/O). The display is a 240 x 320 pixel, 4096-color LCD.

VTech Helio — Apr. 21, 2001 — Though not natively equipped with Embedded Linux, there are several implementations of Linux for the Helio in development. The device is based on a 75 MHz 32-bit RISC processor, with 8 MB of SDRAM and 2 MB Flash memory. It has a 160 x 160 pixel backlit LCD display with a 1024 x 1024 cell touchpad, integrated audio record/playback, and both standard and high-speed serial ports.

HNT Exilien — Mar. 23, 2001 — The new Linux-based HNT handheld multimedia PCs will be made in two form-factorsa PDA-sized unit with a 3.8-inch 320×240 LCD, and a heftier sized device (one inch thick) with a backlit 4-inch TFT 640×480 LCD. The larger unit differs from the smaller one in several features, including LCD type, memory capacity, and type of expansion card slot. Both are based on a 206 MHz 32-bit Intel StrongARM SA-1110 system-on-chip processor along with a generous supply of DRAM and Flash memory.

MiTAC CAT — Mar. 22, 2001 — The Linux-based CAT will initially be available only in Taiwan. The device is based on a 66 MHz NEC VR series processor with 8MB system memory and 4MB Flash, expandable via a CompactFlash slot. It has a 4.1-inch, 240 x 320 pixel, monochrome backlit STN LCD with and provides multiple connectivity options including IrDA, RS232, USB, and Bluetooth.

4P DAT500 rugged handheld — Dec. 8, 2000 — This is an industrial strength handheld computer, intended for use in mobile point-of-sale and inventory management applications. In addition to all the expected functions of a consumer palm-top computer (graphical user interface, touchscreen, handwriting recognition), the DAT500 is highly rugged and reliable, and has successfully passed testing for compliance with commercial aviation safety standards. The unit includes a built-in bar code scanner, credit card reader, smartcard interface, and printer.

SK Telecom IMT2000 WebPhone — Sep. 19, 2000 — This device is a combination cell phone plus — PDA. It has a 4-in. LCD screen and a built in video camera, and looks like a PDA. The PDA functions of the device are based on a StrongARM SA1110 206MHz CPU, and the device contains 32MB of RAM plus up to 32MB of internal flash memory. The operating system software is PalmPalm's Tynux embedded Linux, with Qt/Embedded for GUI support plus Opera's browser. A separate microprocessor controls the cell phone functions.